Main navigation

Secondary Navigation

Woody Maintains Innocence Amid Abuse Allegations

By ETonline Staff 10:40 PM PST, February 3, 2014

Mia Farrow and Woody Allen's adopted daughter Dylan Farrow penned an open letter posted on The New York Times' website on Saturday, alleging that Woody sexually assaulted her when she was seven. The letter has since prompted a firestorm of responses from people taking stances on both sides of the issue.

In the letter, Dylan, 28, provides a first person account of what she claims happened to her in 1992.

"Allen took me by the hand and led me into a dim, closet-like attic," wrote Dylan. It is there that she claims the sexual assault took place.

Woody, 78, has responded via his publicist, calling the letter "untrue and disgraceful."

The original sexual assault claims in 1992 prompted a six-month investigation that turned up no credible evidence and ended without Woody being charged for a crime. Prior to the allegations, Woody made headlines for beginning a relationship with Mia Farrow's 19-year-old adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn -- now his wife of 13 years.

Some of Woody's collaborators have spoken out about Dylan's claims.

"It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family and I hope they find some sort of resolution and peace," said Blue Jasmine star Cate Blanchett, who won a Golden Globe and SAG award this year for her role in Allen's 2013 film.

Her co-star Alec Baldwin was a bit more abrupt with his response when he tweeted back at a person criticizing him for not reacting to the news: "What the f--k is wrong w u that u think we all need to b commenting on this family's personal struggle?"

"What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett?" Dylan wrote. "Alec Baldwin?... You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?"

"That torment was made worse by Hollywood," she continues. "All but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye. Most found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, 'who can say what happened,' to pretend that nothing was wrong. Actors praised him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in magazines. Each time I saw my abuser's face – on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television -- I could only hide my panic until I found a place to be alone and fall apart."

Dylan's letter comes just ahead of the Academy Awards where Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine is nominated in three categories, including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Cate Blanchett), Best Supporting Actress (Sally Hawkins) and Best Original Screenplay (Woody Allen).